The Park District of Highland Park was awarded $528,500 through the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant program administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for improvements to Lincoln Park. The OSLAD grant is a state-funded program providing up to 50% of the project costs for public park and recreation projects.
Design will begin this summer and the community will have various opportunities to participate in the design process. Construction is expected to begin in summer of 2025.
Exciting improvements are coming to Lincoln Park. In 2023, Lincoln park’s tot lot playground was up for replacement along with an update to the park’s path and recoloring of the basketball court. Though, through engagement efforts, the Park District heard concerns over the loss of Lincoln School’s recreational amenities, including the 5-12 playground.
In response, the Park District developed a conceptual plan to address the concerns of the community and applied for grant funding to support the project. The Park District was awarded $528,500 through the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant program for improvements to Lincoln Park. With the OSLAD grant funding, the Park District will be able to adjust the park layout to accommodate a 5-12 playground, increase basketball court space, and address critical updates to Lincoln Park’s existing amenities.
Project Details:
- new 2-5 and 5-12 playground
- new full-size basketball court
- new picnic/shade shelter
- diamond field improvements
- soccer field improvements
- walking path improvements and reconfiguration
- site furniture replacement
- related site work and landscaping